My Classroom Couch . . .Oh, it's Time for Another Smart Design

I inherited this couch when I arrived in my new classroom three years ago.  I lived the "country decor" many decades ago, so I knew that I would need to come up with a smart redesign.

In 2013, I redesigned ole' plaidy into the famous "Zebra Couch."  The kids loved it, and it held up very well to a steady amount of daily student readers!

In 2014, our classroom was a nautical theme so old Zebra had to go!  With the help of a Target shower curtain and some blue fleece that I found around the house, it took on a whole new look!

This year, my classroom theme is Dotty Star, so good-bye stripes!  First, I found these dotty fleece blankets at Wal-Mart for a mere $2.88 each!

Add a few T pins and  . . . 

I added one blanket on each side.  Good symmetry lesson!

Then placed the third piece of fleece on the seat!

Finally, the fourth piece and a few T-pins to hold it in place.

Then, a little black to make it look less girlish! 

Here it is!  Waiting for all those wonderful third and fourth graders and the many books they will read this year!  

And it all started with this . .  .

What a few blankets and pins can do!

What redesigns will you do this summer to welcome those readers?

Enjoy!

Amy

Make-it-Monday: Smart Classroom Personal Pouch

Years ago when I began teaching one of the biggest surprises about students was the problem that many students have organizing their desk full of supplies and treasures.  I was so focused on lesson content and classroom behavior that I didn't realize the importance of getting my students organized from Day 1 in the classroom.

My students have plastic clip folders in my classroom in which they organize their work.  One organizational item that I have them put in the clips is a personal plastic pouch.

 I make these pouches during the summer, but collect them at the end of the year and reuse them.  (good lesson in conservation)

These pouches are great for reward tickets, spelling sorts, tiny erasers, fractions pieces, and all the other valuable classroom tools that you want at you students' fingertips.

They are easily made with a ziplock bag and fun duct tape!  The kids love them and they last all year or longer.

Enjoy this reward card FREEBIE in my TpT store and have fun organizing your students this year!

Your Reward

Happy Organizing!

Amy

Smart Classroom Planning

When I first began teaching many years ago, I would close the school year and then not even think about school until after the 4th of July.  I needed a break!

graphic by mycutegraphic.com

 Now I do things differently!  

During the past few years I've done a bulk of my next year planning in June while school is fresh in my mind.  With aging parents who have many health concerns and three teenagers/young adults, I never know where my summer will lead me so I want to be prepared!

One of my first summer projects is to tweak classroom procedures.  What changes do I need to make for next year's class?  What procedures worked well? What procedures did not meet my expectations? What new ideas do I want to implement next year?

I know the importance of sharing classroom procedures and expectations from day one in the classroom.  The procedures set the tone for the entire year!  That is why I plan these first, a few days after the school year closes and continue to revisit them during the summer.

This summer I created the  SMART Board program and PowerPoint presentation called Smart Classroom Procedures,  containing 22 colorful  slides of  my classroom procedures.  It's all set to show my new students the first day of school, but can be edited through the summer with new ideas that I may want to try.  I can also show these procedures many times during the school year (after breaks-when students seem to have forgotten the routine) or view one particular procedure and easily change it during the year if needed. (Some procedures don't work for certain groups of students.)

Click to view in my TpT store.

  Each slide engages the students with colorful graphics.  My procedures are texted in, but can be edited to fit your own classroom.

With this major task complete, I can now take a break and celebrate July!

 Happy 4th everyone!

Amy